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STORRS -- As a wide-eyed undergraduate defensive assistant at Central Michigan in the fall of 2005, Josh Reardon was expected to do anything and everything.

And that's pretty much just what he did.

He broke down game film on weekly opponents. He compiled scouting reports. He helped with game planning. You name it, Reardon did it.

And if his boss at the time, co-defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, wanted coffee or a late-night run to the local burger joint, Reardon got into his car and raced to the drive-through.

After that season at Central Michigan, the two went their separate ways. Diaco was off to Virgina, Cincinnati and Notre Dame while Reardon was landing his first official coaching job at Sacred Heart University, spending three seasons with the Pioneers before heading to Holy Cross.

Six years later, in 2012, their paths crossed again when Diaco, the assistant head coach at Notre Dame, tabbed Reardon to come to South Bend, Ind., and work for him as a graduate assistant. And heading into 2014, Diaco -- the new head coach at Connecticut -- has named Reardon as his cornerbacks coach.

"Our relationship goes all the way back to 2005, which was really my introduction to coaching," Reardon said. "He was really the first person that I worked for. The relationship continued to grow and he gave me the opportunity to work directly for him at Notre Dame. To say that he's the most influential person in my coaching career goes without saying."

Reardon is the youngest member of Diaco's staff, having just eight years of coaching experience. But after two seasons at Central Michigan, three with Sacred Heart, one with Holy Cross and two with Notre Dame, he can boast of working with all three factions of the defense.

"I've been fortunate in that regard," Reardon said at a recent sit-down session with all the assistant coaches. "I've had the opportunity to coach all three levels, defensive line, linebackers and the secondary and even both inside and outside linebackers, so I think it's good to have a broad-based understanding from a fundamental standpoint, how the different (defensive) pieces fit. So to me, it's been a huge benefit."

With the Pioneers, Reardon worked with both the defensive line and the secondary; at Holy Cross, he worked with the linebackers. For a new coach, a lot of the work was trial by fire, but the former Chippewas' long snapper quickly learned the ropes.

"Sacred Heart was my first full-time opportunity. I learned a lot," Reardon said. "It was the first time I was really managing a position. I worked with the D-line my first year and then I transitioned into the secondary and that was a new experience. And then took over the (defensive) coordinator responsibilities. That was even more learning, so every day was a new experience."

Sacred Heart went 14-18 in Reardon's three seasons as his secondary brought passing yards allowed down from 206.6 to 182.0 per game. He's listed as secondary coach/defensive coordinator at SHU in 2010.

"Being there was a great learning experience and I'm glad that I did it," Reardon said.

Reardon will inherit a secondary that returns starting safeties Obi Melifonwu and Andrew Adams and starting cornerback Byron Jones and also has solid depth. It is uncertain if senior safety Ty-Meer Brown (shoulder stinger) will be able to play next season.

"I think when there's a new staff, there's new opportunities for guys to come in and I don't think you pre-judge anybody," Reardon said. "I think you have information and some ideas, but for me personally, I've got a lot of guys that are going to be in that room that I'm going to get to know and they're going to get to know me. We're going to be learning about each other and we're, hopefully, going to build a relationship that has a lasting impact."

And like Diaco, Reardon is ready to hit the ground running.

"Oh my gosh, yes," he said when asked if he was excited. "I have an understanding of UConn football because I lived in the state and was also at Holy Cross. When I walked into the building, to me, it's just as impressive as the last place I was at.

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"Coach has incredible vision. He's got a ton of energy and he cares about the players and he cares about the program, so the possibilities are endless. He puts so much energy into everything, you're energized every single day you're with him. You see the vision that he has and you're excited to go to work."